TRAVEL BLOG

Nuestra Senora del Carmen Catholic Church

Nuestra Senora del Carmen is a pretty little Catholic church located in Playa del Carmen. This traditional Mexican church overlooks the Caribbean Sea and is a must for those who love anything cultural and steeped in history.

If you are here around Christmas or Easter time, make sure to visit the church as the building is decorated with flowers and ornaments to celebrate the festive season.

Many Catholic weddings are also held here throughout the year, so if you’re lucky you might spot a traditional ceremony taking place. It is highly recommended to join in one of the Sunday masses which takes place once in the morning and again in the evening. Many of the locals dress up smartly, so if you wish to attend please dress appropriately.

Xplor Adventure Park

Xplor is a popular natural adventure park located in Riviera Maya. The park boasts a number of adrenaline pumping activities to take part in such as zip lining, caving, amphibious vehicle rides and rafting.

In total there are 14 zip lines to choose from that run through 3.8km of trail. They range from just over 8 metres to a staggering 45 metres above the ground. Glide over suspended bridges, treetops, waterfalls and finally land in a refreshing lake.

The amphibious vehicle ride is something worth a try whilst spending the day at Xplor. Take the wheel of a mini 4×4 and follow a number of rocky jungle trails which will eventually guide you into a mysterious underground cave. This is an exhilarating adventure where water levels rise as you enter the cave, but don’t worry as your vehicle is equipped to advance without damaging the engine.

Rafting is another popular activity at Xplor. Use your hands to paddle on a raft through underground rivers, caves and caverns. Admire the extraordinary rock formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, dating back to over a millennia ago.

Finally, why not have a go at swimming through the underground caverns. Your guide will tell you about the interesting rock formations and provide you with all the appropriate equipment needed such as helmets and life jackets.

Other amenities at Xplor include dressing rooms, lockers, lounge areas and a delicious restaurant. Choose from a selection of fresh and healthy food at the mouth-watering buffet. There is also an on site shop at Xplor which sells a range of souvenirs ranging from t-shirts and towels to key chains and hats.

The park is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The minimum age allowed to enter is five years old. It is advised to bring your own towel and bring along a swimsuit, swim shoes, t-shirts and long shorts. You should also bring sunscreen with you, as many of the activities are outside.

Xel-Há Park

Xel-Ha Park in Quintana Roo is just a short drive away from Riviera Maya. This natural aquarium is one of the most popular parks in the area and is considered to be the largest aquarium in the world. There are so many things to see and do here such as zip lining, snorkeling, and swimming with dolphins and even manatees!

At Xel-Ha it is possible to walk on the seabed with the help of modern technology. Even non-swimmers can enjoy the experience of seeing marine life in its natural environment rather than an artificial habitat. The Sea Trek helmet allows you to break comfortably under water, much like a scuba diver. This is an unforgettable experience where you will get the chance to interact with stingrays, dolphins, tropical fish and manatees.

Xel-Ha also offers an on site spa which provides many rejuvenating treatments. Choose from a long list of revitalizing massages or have a traditional Mayan bath which is great for exfoliating the skin.

However, if you want something more adrenaline pumping why not have a go on zip bike. Just like a zip line you will glide across the park on a bike attached to a zip line. This 1,640 feet route will allow you to have a spectacular birds eye view of landscapes that were once ruled by the ancient Mayans.

Other facilities at Xel-Ha Park include a Caribbean restaurant with live music and an international buffet. Various snacks are also sold at La Terraza or enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine at Mexican Cantina in the Jardin Corona.

There are also plenty of lockers provided for visitors to the park, they also have showers and nine bathing facilities. Make sure to bring along your own swimming costume and towel. Lifejackets and snorkels will be provided once you arrive at the park.

The park is open from Monday to Sunday from 8:30am to 7pm. It is advised to buy the all-inclusive ticket which grants you access to all the activities and attractions as well as all the restaurants and use of snorkeling equipment. If you book online from Xel-Ha’s website you can save eight dollars!

Hekab Be Biblioteca de Akumal

Hekab Be Biblioteca de Akumal in Akumal is a great place to spend a couple of hours, whatever the weather. Run mainly by donations, this library features a number of Spanish and English books available to both borrow and buy for a small price. This establishment has recently been renovated to include new shelving, colourful murals and a basketball court. One of the most popular sections of the library is the Yucatan Maya zone, where you can study the Mayan language.

Riviera Art Gallery

Riviera Art Gallery is a fine art gallery located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. There are a number of original oil and acrylic paintings, lithographs, photographs, sculptures, tribal handcrafts and prints on display here.

Some of the most well known artists include Noel Rodriguez, Ricardo Campero, Daniel Lewis, Ellie Newman, PUAC, Lourdes Ibarra, Naomi Gittoes, Chatillon and works from the Mayan community.

DiveMex

Divemex is situated in Playa del Carmen. This professional diving school offers tours to small groups of both professional and amateur divers. They always dive with a maximum of four people or you can choose from a one-on-one session or two-on-one to achieve optimum results, which is ideal for a beginner diver.

Playa del Carmen offers a wide variety of beautiful reefs to discover. Cerebros is the northernmost dive in Playa del Carmen, which takes its name from the many brain-corals underneath the water. The maximum diving depth is 14m, which is perfect for beginners.

Los Arcos is a beautiful deep dive with a number of walls and arches to make your way around. The walls are covered in corals, sponges and sea ferns and if you’re lucky you may see some sea turtles, great barracudas and schools of mackerel. In winter you can even see large bull sharks. However, due to strong currents this is recommended only for experienced divers.

Furthermore, Chun-Zumbul is the longest reef in the area of Playa del Carmen. The middle section of the reef is made up of great ferns and coral overhangs. The depth of this dive is 10m which makes it ideal for beginners.

Tortugas, which is translated to turtles, is the most-visited dive site in Playa del Carmen. Here you will find a large number of turtles, moray eels and snapper fish. The maximum depth of this dive is 14m.

There is also the opportunity to swim with Whale Sharks, which can be as long as 12m and weigh 12 tons! However, these are gentle giants so you will have nothing to fear, as they feed on microscopic plants and small fish.

DiveMex also offers tours to Chichen Itza, the colonial city of Merida, Uxmal and Izamal. DiveMex makes sure you get to see not just the main tourists sites but also how the locals live.

Cenote Dos Ojos

Cenote Dos Ojos in Tulum is one of the top destinations for scuba diving in the whole of Riviera Maya. The surrounding area boasts a number of “Cenote’s” and “Dzonot’s” which means sacred well, and derives from the Mayan language.

These caves and underground rivers were created naturally over 6,500 years ago and have become a popular spot for diving. These cenotes can only be found in this part of the world, making them even more desirable and exclusive. With Cenote Dos Ojos Scuba Diving you will be able to discover these hidden caves which boast crystal clear water and spectacular stalagmites and stalactites.

There are also a few varieties of fish living in the cavern and two types of freshwater shrimp, as well as a bat cave!

If you decide to come scuba diving here make sure to bring your own lunch as there are no restaurants located nearby. You should also be respectful of the local environment by not touching the fragile sediments and only using gentle kicks to make your way around the cenote’s.

Aktun Chen

Aktun Chen is an ecological park located just 25 minutes away from Playa del Carmen. Aktun Chen is actually from the Mayan language, which is translated to “natural pool inside a cavern.” The park spreads over 180 hectares and offers many natural attractions to explore such as tropical forests and underground caverns and cenotes.

Indiana Joe’s provides a number of memorable tours through Aktun Chen including zip lining, snorkeling and cave exploring. Each tour can be picked out separately or you can choose the full tour which includes all these activities.

Aktun Chen’s caves have been named as one of the top 10-cave tunnel walks in the world. Walk by subterranean rivers and peer through deep crystal-clear wells. You will have the chance to explore the caves by foot or scuba diving and discover many different rock formations, stalactites, stalagmites, fossils and even fruit bats.

A cenote is a natural underground reservoir of water. Similarly to the cave tour you will be able to dive into the crystal clear water and make your way round various columns, stalagmites and stalactites.

Furthermore, if you decide to take the zip lining tour make sure you don’t have a fear of heights, as you will glide for over half a mile over Aktun Chen’s treetops. The platforms and zip lines are designed so that anyone, regardless of experience can participate. All the equipment is safe and regularly checked and professional guides will be there to give you a helping hand.

Riviera Maya Golf Club

Riviera Maya Golf Club was designed by the famous Robert Trent Jones II, who managed to create a fantastic 27-hole course which borders a Mayan jungle and features beautiful natural lakes and challenging water holes.

The golf course appeals to every level of golfer. The design of the Mayan Riviera golf course provides players with a variety of different challenges such as obstacles in the form of lakes and sand bunkers.

The course is split into two. The championship course is made up of 18 holes with a length of 7272 yards, whilst the Executive course is made up of just nine holes.

There is also a large driving range at the club with an area of more than 300 yards, capable of holding more then 50 players. In addition, there is an area to practice in sand bunkers as well as a putting green, chipping green and a double tee box.

On site you will find an exclusive clubhouse which features a restaurant, bar and social area. There is even a Pro Shop, which sells polo shirts, golf balls, towels and caps. You can also rent out equipment such as buggies, shoes, and clubs, regardless of your level.

Riviera Maya Golf Club has won various awards for its excellence. In 2011 the Top Ten Golf & Spa Magazine named it as the third best golf course in Mexico.

The club is open seven days a week from 6am. If you are interested in visiting this golf club you may also be interested in staying at the Gran Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Resort. This is a five-star hotel complex made up of three hotels which are right next to Riviera Maya Golf Club.

Playa Paraiso Golf Club

Playa Paraiso Golf Club is an 18-hole par-72 course located in Riviera Maya just 30 minutes away from Cancun International Airport.

This popular course was designed by P.B. Dye and includes parts of a Mayan jungle. The course is also situated right next to the Caribbean Sea, so you are guaranteed stunning ocean views! Due to its extreme beauty this makes it one of the best golf courses in the world. Not only is the scenery breathtaking but the course is also pretty challenging. It boasts a number of narrow fairways, undulating greens and deep sand banks which will challenge you from start to finish.

There are a number of other facilities on offer at Playa Paraiso including a pro shop, which supplies well-known brands such as Titleist, Nike and Mizuno. There is also a driving range and putting green if you want to practice before you tee off.

One of the innovations at Playa Paraiso Golf Club is the all-inclusive service. You can forget about the extra charges for food and drinks and you can even have them delivered to the green whilst you are playing.

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About Us

To keep things short, we’re a group of passionate, frequent travellers that has travellers to many cities and suburbs across the globe. And because we love what we do so much, we find this an obligation to share the experiences that we’ve gathered throughout our travelling journeys.